Croatia occupies the largest part of the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea which, as a part of the Mediterranean Sea, penetrates deepest into European soil. Croatia’s shoreline and numerous islands enjoy the majority of the Adriatic coastline. The narrow Dinara Mountain Range separates the country’s Mediterranean region from its central European continental part, which spans from the easterly edges of the Alps in the North-West to the shores of the Danube in the East, encompassing the southern part of the fertile Pannonian lowlands.

Area: 56,542 sq km (21,831 sq miles)

Population: 4,218,584 (UN estimate 2016)

Population density: 79 per sq km

Capital: Zagreb

Government: Republic

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. European plus with two round pins are standard

Coastline: Length: 6,278 km, of which 4 398 km is made up of island coastlines, solitary rocks and reefs.

Highest Peak: Dinara, 1 831 m above sea level.

Number of islands, islets, solitary rocks and reefs

1,244. The largest islands are Krk and Cres. There are 50 inhabited islands.

Climate:

There are three climate zones in Croatia: in the country’s continental interior the prevailing climate zone is moderately continental, while the mountain climate prevails at 1200m above the sea level. The areas along the Adriatic coast have a pleasantly mild Mediterranean climate with a large number of sunny days, summers are hot and dry and winters are mild and wet. The average temperatures in the continental interior are: January -2 C to 0 C, with somewhat lower temperatures in the mountains; July temperatures reach 20 oC-22˚C, and around 13˚C in the highlands. The average temperatures in the Littoral (Adriatic Coast) are: January 5˚C - 9 C and July 23°C - 26°C. Winter sea temperature is about 12 C and it reaches approximately 25 C in the summer. For more wather information please explore :

http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/Croatia.htm

Currency:

The official currency in Croatia is the KUNA (1 kuna = 100 lipa). Foreign currency can be exchanged in banks, exchange offices, post offices and in the majority of tourist information offices, hotels and campsites. Credit cards (Eurocard / Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Diners) are accepted in almost all hotels, marinas, restaurants, shops and cash machines.

Shops and public services working hours

During the tourist season, most shops are open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. on weekdays, and many are also open during the weekend.

Public services and business offices generally work from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Customs regulations

Customs regulations in the Republic of Croatia are almost entirely harmonized with EU regulations and standards, but the value of those non-commercial items that are brought into the country for personal use and are exempt from tax duty or PDV (VAT) is limited to only 1,000 HRK (kuna). Foreign and local currency and cheques may be freely taken in and out of the country by both foreign and Croatian citizens with foreign residence, but transfers of an amount of 10,000 Euros or more must be declared to a customs official. Valuable professional equipment and other technical devices must also be declared to a customs official at the border crossing.

VAT is refunded to persons who do not have permanent or temporary residence in Croatia, for individual goods purchased in Croatia, for amounts in excess of 740.00 HRK (Kuna), upon the presentation of a Tax Cheque form verified by a customs official during the export of purchased goods, at the latest 3 months from the day of purchase. Foreign nationals must claim Tax refunds within six months of the receipt issue date.

Health services

There are hospitals and clinics located in all larger towns and cities, while smaller centres have dispensaries and pharmacies only. Foreign visitors who are covered by health insurance in their own country are not obliged to pay for emergency medical services during a private stay in the Republic of Croatia if a convention on Social Security has been signed between Croatia and the visitors’ country of origin, i.e. if they have in their possession a certificate stipulated by such a convention confirming their right to health care. Health care (including transport) is used for emergency cases in the manner and according to regulations valid for Croatian citizens covered by Social Security, with identical participation in health care costs (participation).

Post and telecommunications

Weekdays, in smaller centres from 7 a.m until 2 p.m. Some offices work a split shift. In most towns and tourist centres, duty post offices are open on Saturdays and Sundays. Phone cards are used in all public telephones and may be purchased from post offices and from newspaper kiosks.

International calls may be made directly from any public telephone. Web: www.posta.hr

Emergency call “ 112 ”

This number can be reached any time, day or night, regardless of where you are in the Republic of Croatia or in the European Union. Calls to this number are free of charge. Calls can be made through all operators and all telephone devices by dialling 112. In the event of an accident, the 112 Centre can be contacted in any one of the following foreign languages: English German Italian Hungarian Slovakian and Czech

Travel documents

A valid passport or some other identification document recognized by international agreement; for certain countries a personal identity card is sufficient (a document which testifies to the identity and citizenship of the bearer). Information: Diplomatic missions and consular offices of the Republic of Croatia abroad or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Croatia. Tel: +385 1 4569 964 E-mail: stranci@mvpei.hr, vize@mvpei.hr web: www.mvpei.hr

For visa information please call the embassy in your country.

Passport must be valid over 6 months when travelling on this trip.

Note: HKSAR passport holders do not need visa to visit Croatia,

Travel Insurance

It’s absolutely essential to have adequate travel insurance covered, especially for the purposes of flight cancellation, delay or any other unexpected incidental cases occurred during the trip and to enjoy the journey with a peaceful mind. Take the travel insurance that meets your needs and understand its coverage.